A TITANIC struggle between Championship ended all square but with the Blues stealing a valuable try bonus point at the death.

Bargoed wing Gareth Dare was again on the scoreboard with a try after 10 minutes. Outside-half Josh Prosser missed the conversion before making amends with a penalty which was matched by Tata full-back Gareth Walters.

Tata cleared from a lineout in their own 22 but Blues full-back Andrew MacLaughlan countered with Dare in support. Centre Lewis Protheroe moved outside Dare but cut back inside to take the pass and cross under the posts. Prosser converted.

Bargoed were caught napping at the restart and the home side hit back immediately with a try from wing Gbemi Fisher, with Walters adding the extras. The Blues soon restored their lead when scrum-half James Pizey went over for Bargoed’s third try, which went unconverted. There was still time for Prosser and Walters to swap penalties, giving Bargoed a 13-23 half-time lead.

Bargoed blasted out of the blocks in a second half but, despite all their possession, they couldn’t extend their lead. Indeed it was Tata who closed the gap when out-prop Gareth Edwards scored a try. Walters converted and, with 10 minutes left, tied it with another penalty to make it 23-23.

Tata played the conditions well and pinned Bargoed back with long kicks, using the wind and slope. However, the Blues always looked dangerous when they had the ball and with a three on two overlap looked certain to score, but Tata wing Gareth John risked everything to come out of the defensive line five metres out. The gamble paid off – he intercepted and ran the full length of the pitch to score in the corner. Walters’ touchline conversion failed but Tata looked to have done enough with five minutes left. Bargoed pressed and desperate defending repulsed the attacks time after time until the ball found Protheroe, who backed himself against both Fisher and Walters and the strong-running centre crossed for his second and Bargoed’s fourth try tying the game at 28-28. Prosser had a difficult kick out wide and against the wind. He hit it on target but it faded and dropped just under the bar as referee Wayne Davies of Llanelli blew up for full time.